Top Five Places to Visit in London

London, England is the home to over 6.7 million people. Meanwhile, the town is steeped in history, with connections to Roman times. The city hosts Parliament and numerous historical artifacts and buildings. It also has a modern vibe that is kept alive by sites like the London Eye. Below are the top five places to visit if you are on a short trip to London and want to experience the rich variety of the city.

Tower of London

The Tower is made up of several towers, 12 of which can be explored by visitors. In one of those towers is the Crown Jewels exhibit. The rest of the site houses a bloody history, which can be experienced by the visitors through a Yeoman’s tour. There is a fee for the experience, but it is well worth it to see the interior of the buidings and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross, among other objects of interest.

Westminster Abbey

There is a lot to see in Westminster Abbey and usually not much time to see it. If you have specific interests, you may want to read a little before the visit to make sure you can see them. Some great features include Poet’s Corner where authors Rudyard Kipling and Charles Dickens, among others, are laid to rest. There is also the tomb of Elizabeth I and Mary Tudor, who were half-sisters and also enemies.

Tower Bridge

The bridge is 120 years old and the most famous bridge crossing the Thames River. It also is a marvel of architecture, both for impressive detail and also roads that lift to allow big ships to sail through. The Tower Bridge provides beautiful views, including the Shard, Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral. There is a fee that is required to visit the top of the Tower Bridge and see the glass floor located there, but it is a worthwhile investment. However, for a free experience of the bridge, a walk across its roadway level is possible at any time the bridge is not raised.

Located on the Thames River, this attraction provides great views of the city’s South Bank. The ride itself takes 30 minutes and some tourists are put off by the long lines and price of ticket. However, the view from the height is not replicable anywhere else. It is definitely a unique perspective of London and a great story to share when you return home.

Buckingham Palace

The home of Queen Elizabeth II is open to be toured during the summer. Tours are not to be taken lightly, however, as they are two hours long and are without access to restrooms until the garden. The tour does show 19 State Rooms, filled with the richest furniture in the Royal Collection. This impressive structure is also worth seeing from the front, where you can watch the Changing of the Guard at 11:30 am each day.

All of this entertainment can be enjoyed during the day. Meanwhile, you have plenty of choices for food and entertainment at night. That includes a visit to the West End Theatre District, where visitors can enjoy both new and classic productions. Visitors can also experience lively nightlife in the theatre district, especially near Leicester Square. A visit to London can encompass numerous other experiences provide you have the time, but these options are necessary for short visits that allow you the best balance of history and beauty while mixing in some entertainment along the way.